“And I’d be glad to help in any way I can,” Jack added as he entered the kitchen. “I’m sure a lot of us would. I know most of the crew feels terrible.”
Nick took a drink of his coffee. “Thanks, Jack.”
“I mean it, anything you need, just let us know.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Joan said.
Jack tucked his hands in his pockets. “It’s the least we could do.”
Nick sighed heavily, doing his best to keep his bitterness at bay. If it weren’t for this movie, his town’s favorite part of the holiday season wouldn’t have gone up in smoke. It wasn’t Jack’s fault, specifically, but right now he was a walking, talking, representation of the whole production.
“Honestly, I think you and the crew better just finish up what you started here in Snow Hill and then take off. I heard production is ahead of schedule. The sooner all the movie junk is out of town square, the sooner Snow Hill can get back to our Christmas traditions.”
Joan scowled at her son. “Nicholas Patterson.”
“Ooh, she pulled out the full name,” Jack said with a chuckle. “I get it, big guy, you’re upset. So, I’m not going to take anything you say right now personally. But you better save this attitude for me or anyone else on the crew you meet, and keep it away from my sister. Understand?”
Nick knew Jack was right. His anger was misplaced. But sometimes knowing something like that isn’t the same thing as being able to control your emotions. He was covered in soot and grime, exhausted after having been in the fire itself and then up all night, and quite honestly devastated about the prospect of disappointing this town without their beloved Gingerbread Ball. He didn’t think he’d have anything to say to Jack at that moment that didn’t make him sound like he’d lost his mind, so without a word, he stood from his seat at the counter and went out the back door.
17
Holly
“Hey,” Jack said tentatively, poking his head into Holly’s room. “You okay?”
Holly nodded and stopped pacing. “I’m just ... I need to help.”
Jack entered the room and shut the door behind him, taking a seat on a plush chair in the corner of the suite. “Holly ... I’m not sure what you can do at this point.”
“There has to be something. If it weren’t for my movie–”
“It’s the studio’s movie. And they don’t even know if the studio is at fault or if it was just a freak accident. You can’t take the blame for this, Holls. You had literally nothing to do with it.”
Holly raked her hands through her hair and sighed. “Nick’s face last night ... I can’t get it out of my head. And I don’t know what I would have done if something happened to him.”
Jack rolled his eyes.
“What?”
“I don’t know what to say, sis. I can tell you care about the guy, but I don’t know if I’m supposed to give him the benefit of the doubt because of that, or if I’m supposed to protect you from him.”
Holly crossed the room, grabbed the chair from the desk, and put it in front of Jack’s chair. Plopping down into the chair, she looked at him very seriously. “Jack. You’re my big brother. You’re literally my bodyguard. I know your first instinct is to protect me, but I promise you don’t need to in this case. I do care about Nick. I don’t know if anything is going to come of it, but I still care about him. So, for now, let’s not worry about anything other than helping him and his amazing mom pull off this ball.”
“Fine,” Jack leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I overheard Nick and Joan talking about how there isn’t enough money left to replace everything that was damaged in the fire. Including a bunch of presents for the kids in the town. Apparently, it’s a tradition for Santa and Mrs. Claus to give a little something to each kid at the ball.”
Holly rubbed her hands together. “Money, I have. That’ll be easy. We’ll just hop online and order a bunch of toys with rush delivery. Next item—the stuff they made by hand.”
“Like what?”
“They constructed this huge set-up for the Santa pictures, a big board with a cutout for kids to take pictures with, and they had a beautiful set on stage for their Nutcracker dance,” Holly said, taking out her phone and opening her photo app. “I actually took pictures of a bunch of it because I thought it was so cool. Now we can use these pictures to have them re-created.”
Jack took the phone from Holly’s outstretched hand and flipped through the pictures. “These are good. Well, we do have set designers and an entire film crew in town. I bet I could get a bunch of them to help with it when filming wraps every day.”
“Not to mention the people in the town. They’ll help for sure.” Holly’s eyes were bright with hope.
“Okay,” Jack ticked off the items on his fingers, “we’ll order the toys today, I’ll go down to the set to round up a crew to help with re-building, and what about the tables and chairs and everything?”
“We can rent some. I’m sure there’s a local company that does that for banquets. I’ll take care of that after the toys. How about the decorations?”
Jack shrugged. “First let’s see what we have from the production. Then we’ll order the rest online.”
“Or,” Holly said, holding up a finger, “we can keep our money in the town and get a bunch of stuff from that cute Christmas store on Main Street.”
“You should do that with the toy store, too.”
Holly grinned at her brother. “Perfect.”
“Uh, hmm. None of this will matter if the place is still a wreck. I’ll find out how fast we can get it cleaned up and at least have the auxiliary room sectioned off. They can take care of re-building that part later.”
“Good idea,” Holly said. “Whatever the cost, we’ll make it happen.”
A knock sounded at the door and Holly couldn’t help but hope it was Nick. She tried not to let her disappointment show when she discovered it was only Harriet.
“Hey, doll,” Harriet said as she entered the room. “You guys having a business meeting without me?”
Holly waved a hand. “Business-shmizmess, we’re planning to pull off a Christmas miracle for the town of Snow Hill.”
“Oh, yeah,” Harriet raised a brow. “And what’s that?”
“We’re going to save the ball,” Holly said proudly.
Harriet pulled out her phone and started scrolling. “Oh, yeah. I did hear something about it going up in flames. You going to rally the town and pitch in after filming? Better make sure you’re not too tired with all that. It’ll show on camera.”
“Uh, not exactly. The biggest problem with saving the ball is money. The inn sets a very specific budget for the event every year and there’s not enough left to replace everything that was destroyed last night. So, that’s where I come in.”
Harriet looked up from the phone and swallowed. “How so?”
“I mean, I have plenty of money. I don’t spend much, so what else do I need it for?”
Harriet looked at Jack and then back at Holly, her face sort of twitching. “How much are we talking, here? Holly, you always say you want to donate to charity first and foremost, and this isn’t really a charity, is it?”
Jack cut Holly a look, the suspicion in his eyes making her nervous.
“Holly, how much money do you want?” Harriet asked again.
“Um ... we didn’t quite calculate it yet. But, Harriet, why does it feel like I’m asking you for permission to spend my own money?”
Harriet waved a hand, but it was shaking. “Honey, I’m your business manager. I handle the money. I do what’s best for you. Blowing your life savings on this ball isn’t the best idea. What happens if something happens and you need that money?”
“Something did happen … and I do need it.”
“Fine. I’m just saying it because it’s my job to handle your assets.”
“Right ... it is,” Holly said, warily, “but how I spend them is my choice.”
“Yes, of course, dear.”
Harriet nodded. “So, uh, just let me know how much you need and who to pay and I’ll take care of it when I get a chance.”
Jack cleared his throat. “Pull up Holly’s accounts, Harriet.”
Harriet’s eyes dashed to Jack’s. She looked like a caged animal. “What?”
“I said, pull up Holly’s accounts. On your phone. Every bank has an app. I want to see her checking and savings accounts.” Jack tilted his head as if to dare her not to do it.
Holly was terrified to hear Harriet’s response. There was something in her gut telling her that Harriet wasn’t going to be able to produce the right figures in her accounts. It was an icky, slimy feeling. It was betrayal. Watching Harriet’s wheels turning as she tried to come up with an excuse was almost as painful as watching the doctor’s face the night he told her and Jack that their parents were dead. It was like she was being abandoned by someone she loved all over again, but in a different way. And there was nothing she could do other than let it happen. Her stomach turned as the seconds went on.
“Harriet,” Holly urged. “Please. Please tell me there’s nothing wrong with my accounts. Please tell me the money is there and you didn’t do anything ... bad.”
Harriet’s hands shook so she clasped them together in front of her. “Holly.”
She felt something in her snap, so she paced to the window before she could unleash it on the woman who’d been ‘taking such good care of her’ all these years. Holly didn’t even know details, but she did know she was being taken advantage of. Her eyes burned like they wanted to cry but she was too angry to let it happen.
“Harriet,” Jack spoke up, his voice deadly calm, “I’m going to ask you this one time, and I need to you be completely honest. What’s going on with Holly’s money? What did you do?”
Harriet sniffled, but Holly didn’t turn around to see her tears.
“Harriet,” Jack said her name again.
“This is ridiculous, you guys. We’re family. I would never do anything with Holly’s money.”
Jack took in a deep breath through his nose. “Cut the crap.”
Holly turned toward her manager. “I think we’re passed the point of denying it. Something is definitely going on.”
“Spill it,” Jack snapped at her.
Harriet jumped. “I ... um, most of it is in an offshore account.”
“An offshore account?” Holly looked at Jack. “Is this for real?”
Jack shrugged. “Wow, Harriet, spending a little too much time in the movie industry. Why is it in an offshore account?”
“I’ve been funneling it there for years,” Harriet admitted.
“How have I not noticed this?” Holly raked her hands through her hair, feeling sick.
“Well,” Harriet said, looking down, “it’s usually from the money you allocate for some charity or another.”
Holly made a choked noise. “Wow. That is low.”
“Okay, well, that is bad, but that means most of Holly’s money that she wasn’t giving to charity should be fine, right?” Jack asked.
Holly squared her shoulders. “Right, because I mean, that money would be gone either way—whether the charity had it or Harriet did. The rest of my money is still in my accounts, right?”
Harriet turned red. “Well, two years ago, I got into a little trouble. Remember that movie we did in Las Vegas? I um, met some people there, and last month things went bad.”
“How bad?” Holly asked.
“I had to use your money,” Harriet said quietly. “They were coming for me and I could get it faster from your accounts than from the ones I keep offshore.”
Jack frowned. “You can’t just do an instant wire transfer to their shady account right from yours?”
“Hah,” Harriet scoffed bitterly, “now who’s spending too much time in the movie industry?”
“Okay, enough, give me the bottom line. Is all of my money gone?”
Harriet nodded. “It is, but once I can get it from the offshore accounts, I can replace it from there.”
Jack started pacing. “Back up, you said this happened last month. Why haven’t you done that already? Not that I want you to get away with this crap but Holly never would have known if you’d just replaced it before she found out.”
“Because I’m having a bit of an issue with the guy who manages my offshore account. He’s not returning my calls and emails,” she answered, not looking at either of them.
Jack reached out and caught Holly’s arm as she lunged for her manager. She wasn’t sure what she would have done, she definitely hadn’t thought it through before moving, so she was grateful he’d stopped her. She pushed him off and went back to the window, slumping onto the cushion and burying her face in her hands.
“Harriet,” Holly said, calmer now, “I need you to get that money back to me. Now. How can we do that?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe if there was someone with more clout than me who could reach out to the person who runs my account.” Harriet suggested.
Jack made a face. “I don’t know anything, but a lot of people in this industry have accounts like that … I bet Bill would be one of them. Or at least, he might know someone who can help with this.”
“Call him,” Holly said to her brother, then turned to Harriet. “Do you have any of my money in your personal accounts here in The States?”
Harriet lifted her chin defiantly. “Just what you’ve paid me every two weeks.”
“Great. You can keep that. You earned it fairly. But whatever you have stashed elsewhere ... I need it back.”
Harriet nodded once but didn’t speak.
“I’ll also need a list of all of my accounts and passwords. Whatever you do for me, put in a spreadsheet with detailed instructions, and give it to Jack.”
Harriet snorted. “Jack? Jack can’t do what I do.”
“Probably not,” Holly agreed, then shrugged at Jack in apology, “but I can’t trust you to do it for obvious reasons.”
“What are you saying?” Harriet asked, stepping forward.
Holly stepped back and held out a hand. “I’m saying, you’re fired. Effective immediately.”
“Holly, let’s talk about this. Maybe those accounts were also saving it for your future, too. Maybe–”
“Oh, save it,” Jack said. “You’re going to work with us to try to get that money back and then get back to L.A. We’re done here.”
Harriet didn’t have the decency to look ashamed in any way. She looked bitter. Like she’d been unjustly let go from her position for no reason. Holly couldn’t believe her eyes as she watched her leave with her head held high.
“Harriet,” Holly said. “I just … I can’t believe this. Why did you do it?”
Her former manager raised her chin. “Honestly … maybe it bugged me that you don’t give a crap about the money you make and the opportunities you’ve been given. The fame is worthless to you and yet everyone loves you and wants you to be part of their projects. You get these parts without even trying. Do you know how hard I tried to be an actress in L.A. when I was your age? Do you know how many auditions I went on, how many rejections I got? I just kind of felt like I deserved it after all that … since you clearly couldn’t care less about it.”
Holly didn’t want to pity the woman, but she wasn’t wrong that Holly didn’t live and breathe for her acting career. It was fun, it paid well, and she loved working with so many interesting people. However, she didn’t face very many letdowns. She could almost see how someone who suffered a ton of rejections could eventually warp into the kind of heartless person standing before her.
“We’ll let you know the plan for dealing with your offshore guy,” Holly said. “For now, please just go away.”
Harriet nodded and left the room without another word. When the door closed behind her, Holly slumped back down on the window seat and looked at Jack. “Wow.”
“Yeah. Please tell me you’re going to report this.”
Holly nodded. “Absolutely.
She’s screwed.”
“Good.”
“Do you think there’s enough in my account to save the ball? I mean, my bill here at the inn is taken care of, so I shouldn’t really need that money for anything else in the meantime, right? And I’ll have the rest of the money back from Harriet soon?”
Jack considered this. “I’m honestly not sure. But whatever you do have left, you don’t want this thing with the ball to leave you with nothing. We need to figure out all of your bills and stuff now.”
Holly sighed. “I can’t believe this. I’ve never managed any of that stuff on my own.”
“You’ll be fine, Holls. I can help with that. I’ve been living independently while you’ve been letting Harriet ‘take care of you,’ remember?”
Holly glared at her brother. “Gee, thanks.”
“I’m mostly kidding. I’m sorry this happened.”
“I know. But wait,” Holly sat up straight. “What do you mean that we don’t want the ball to leave me with nothing? How am I supposed to help the Pattersons without my money?”
Jack sat back in his chair. “Holls, I’m a single guy who spent four years in the Marine Corps getting paid a solid income with nothing really to spend it on. Between my pension and what you pay me, I have a solid savings account. I’ll take care of the ball, and you can give it back to me from that offshore account once we get ahold of it.”
“Thanks, Jack,” Holly said. She was absolutely floored. She’d had no idea her brother was so good at managing her own money. Though, to be fair, she’d also never really thought about it. But he lived in a studio apartment and didn’t drive a fancy car or go on vacations or anything, so it made sense that he was more of a saver than a spender.
“Also, you’re not really going to make me take care of all your movie stuff like Harriet did, right? Like, be your new manager? I mean, I can try, but I honestly don't think -”
Holly held up a hand. “No, Jack. You’re fine. I’m not planning on needing a manager anymore.”
Jack narrowed his eyes at her. “What do you mean?”
A Movie Star for Christmas Page 11
